St. Patrick was very good to Mackinac, Friday, March 17, as the mighty Huron departed the pier at the Arnold dock, making the first run of the 2006 season. Everyone was in a festive mood. Paul and Bob Brown made this possible and Ed McGreevy and his Island crew sailed the Huron to St. Ignace. A special welcome to Captain Paul Allers and his dedicated crew, who boarded the Huron for the return trip to Mackinac. Captain Paul celebrated his 54th year on the Great Lakes. Mayor Margaret Doud and Alderman Smi Horn, plus many folks from the Island, were greeted by St. Ignace Mayor Paul Grondin and City Manager Eric Dodson. The Huron is running Monday through Saturday.

Monday, March 20, the first day of spring, Jay Porcaro, of Weber's Floral, brought a breath of spring to many Islanders, a bouquet of daffodils. This is an annual tradition of Weber's Floral.

We've all been enjoying the bright sunny days, especially to take a brisk walk on the bare pavement and sidewalks. There were interesting sights to see along the way. There was a buildup of ice in the Round Island Passage fastened to the new lighthouse in the middle of the channel. There are many icebergs along the shore, spectacular and very beautiful against the vivid blue waters of the Straits. Just a bit of winter on Mackinac.

Deepest sympathy to the Larry Keogh family, of Chicago and Mackinac, on the recent death of his eldest brother, James, who passed in Florida. James spent many summers on the Island at his parents' cottage, "Crosstrees," on the East Bluff.

Friends may write to Lorna Straus, of Chicago and Mackinac, who had the misfortune of rupturing her Achilles tendon. Her address is: 5642 Kimbark, Chicago, IL 60637. She would enjoy hearing from her friends on Mackinac. We hope to see her and Dr. Fran on the Island in the near future. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Gary Horn, Jimmy Gillespie, Kirk Smith, and Michaela Cope will all celebrate their birthdays March 26. Have a great day.

Sunday morning, March 19, Ed and Nona Chambers hosted a special breakfast at their home in the Mission, where guests were treated to Ed's special corn fritters. Special guest was Dr. Jesus Neri of St. Ignace, who was the doctor in residence while Dr. Weersing was away for the weekend.

A special happy birthday April 2 to Wyatt Morse. Enjoy your day.

We're very proud of Tymon Horn and Lou Clark, students at the Mackinac Island Public School. They were contestants in the semi-spelling bee held in Marquette. Lou placed 5th and Tymon 8th out of many students from across the Upper Peninsula. Congratulations to Lou and Tymon. Lou is the son of Ray and Chris Clark and Tymon is the son of Tim and Margaret Horn.

Jill Kamphuis spent spring break with her parents, Dr. Don and Karen Weersing. She is a student at Grand Valley State University.

Judy Bynoe returned home from a great 10-day Caribbean cruise with her daughter, Peggy. The highlight of the trip was seeing the Panama Canal. The ladies had a great time.

Members attending the Board of Review were Joe Stakoe, Ron Dufina, Bob Benser Jr., and Margaret Doud.

Margaret McIntire returned to the Island Wednesday, March 15, from New York City.

James and Franc Doud spent the weekend with their dad, Franc, and great-grandmother, Helga Doud.

Nancy and Ed Pfeiffelman will celebrate their wedding anniversary March 29 and Ed's birthday. Best wishes from Island friends.

We said goodbye Wednesday to Executive Chef Phil Kromer of Mission Point Resort, who has accepted a new position in Cincinnati, Ohio. We shall miss Phil, Megan, and Gabe, who was a student at the Mackinac Island Public School. They were a great addition to Mackinac. Phil's parents from Mullett Lake visited the family over the weekend. Happy birthday to Megan April 1. We wish them all the best.

Happy birthday to Woody Beardsley March 29. Have a great day.

Robbie and Jamie Bynoe were guests of their sister, Peggy, in Grand Rapids over the weekend, where they attended a hockey game. They returned to the Island Monday.

Happy birthday March 30 to Linda Storey and Aimee La Ferier. Enjoy your day.

Spring break for the Island students begins Friday, March 24, for 10 days. We wish them loads of fun.

Welcome home to Chris McCready, who is back at her desk at Arnold Transit Company. Owing to her mother's illness this past December, Chris has been living in Cheboygan. We're happy to report that Marilyn is doing very well.

Happy birthday to my very good friend, Leo Krzeminski, March 30. Have a wonderful day.

Friday, March 17, Mark Chambers joined his daughter, Emma, and about 30 students and adults at Camp Daggett in Petoskey for a weekend retreat. Val and Phil Porter and Emma Chambers were leaders of the gathering. Mark did kitchen duties. They had a special time and it was a great experience for everyone who attended.

A special lady, Aunt Lou Riley of Naples, Florida, will celebrate her birthday March 31. All your friends on Mackinac send you greetings.

We continue to send get well wishes to Marian Petersen, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. We hope that each day finds you much improved.

Happy birthday to Trish Martin April 2. Enjoy your week visiting the Dunnigan family in Grass Lake.

Mayor Pro Tem Smi Horn will attend the meeting of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission in Lansing Wednesday, March 22.

Special thanks to Paul Fullerton of Great Lakes Air and his pilots, who gave excellent service to everyone during the winter months.

Friday, April 21, will be an exciting time on Mackinac as Grand Hotel's newest restaurant, The Gate House, will open for the season. The Gate House is the former French Outpost. The Millennium Wing at the beautiful hotel will start to welcome guests for the 2006 season.

Bob St. Onge welcomed friends and family to a St. Patrick's party at his home in St. Ignace.

Jennifer and Frank Bloswick Jr., along with Brenda Bunker and Clay Fuller, left Tuesday, March 21, for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they will board a Holland American ship for a Caribbean cruise. Have fun in the sun.

We're happy to report that Chris Bloswick of St. Ignace is back home after his stay in a Grand Rapids hospital. Hope you're feeling better, Chris.

Everyone on Mackinac sends a big thank you to Kathy Andress, Jewel Guyer, Megan Kromer, Trish Bunker, and Susan Sanderson for the excellent job they did making the Meals on Snowmobile so successful. It's a wonderful program and is enjoyed by many of the Island senior citizens.

Mackinac Island Police Officer Andy Dziobak has returned to his duties after recuperating from back surgery.

Loretta and Tony Spata of Traverse City spent Monday on Mackinac.

Dianne Cowell of Brimley and Mackinac wrote me a note about the wonderful time she had in Hawaii in January attending the double wedding of her two grandsons, Reuben Cowell III and Eric Cowell. It was a wonderful family reunion with lots of fun in the sun. It's always nice to hear about young people who grew up on Mackinac. Good to hear from you, Dianne.

Happy spring!!